Easterby breaks nose

Ireland and Llanelli flanker Simon Easterby could miss all of Ireland's November international series with a broken nose.

He left the field of play in The Scarlets Heineken Cup loss to Toulouse after just eight minutes. He was taken to a local hospital whre he underwent an operation.

"It was a nasty break," said Scarlets director of rugby Gareth Jenkins.

"I don't know exactly what happened, but when he came off it was clear that Simon was in a really bad way.

"It is a great shame because he is a player who has hit real form - he will be missed by us and by Ireland in their autumn internationals."